Black sea bass fishing out of Morehead City: reefs and runs

Black sea bass fishing out of Morehead City runs all year, and the nearest named reef, AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef, sits 3.5 nm from Beaufort Inlet. This guide lays out the grounds for skippers running their own boats: when the fish are around, how far you run, what structure to look at, and who fishes it from this port. The Morehead City port page covers the inlets and conditions, and the black sea bass species guide covers the fish themselves. The wider picture is in the black sea bass fishing in the Atlantic Southeast and the Atlantic Southeast fishing guide.

When black sea bass are around Morehead City

Black sea bass are fishable from this port in every month, so plan around weather and boat time rather than whether the fish are in the area. The ratings below come from one operator, so read them as that operator’s view of the Crystal Coast calendar.

Year-round

Nothing closes the fishery on the calendar.

March to June

Pelagic Sportfishing rates March to June excellent for black sea bass out of this port.

August to December

Pelagic rates August to December prime.

How far boats run from Beaufort and Bogue inlets

Distances are measured from Beaufort Inlet. The named grounds span from 3.5 nm out to about 39 nm.

• Nearshore reefs: AR-315 and AR-330 are the short runs.
• Outer end: Big Rock marks the far edge of the named grounds.
• Western end: AR-330 sits off Bogue Inlet, which matters if you leave from that side.

Nearshore reefs: 3.5 nm from Beaufort Inlet

AR-315 sits 3.5 nm from Beaufort Inlet, measured at the Fort Macon jetty. AR-330 sits off Bogue Inlet, so boats leaving from the western end will find it closer than a run from Beaufort. Boats fish both as nearshore reefs.

The outer end: about 39 nm to Big Rock

Big Rock lies about 39 nm southeast of Beaufort Inlet, the far end of the named grounds.

Reefs and wrecks off Morehead City

Morehead City sea bass reefs range from a 49 ft Liberty ship site to a 98 ft cable ship. Coordinates and depths here are for planning, not navigation, so check official charts before you run. For context beyond this port, see the wider reef fish picture.

AR-315 Atlantic Beach Reef: 49 ft, 3.5 nm

The structure is the Theodore Parker Liberty ship, along with rubble and aircraft, in 49 ft of water 3.5 nm from Beaufort Inlet at the Fort Macon jetty. It is the closest named reef on this list.

AR-330 Howard Chapin Reef: buoy at 34.5563 N, 76.8527 W

The buoy sits off Bogue Inlet. The Brilliant guide describes AR-330 as a strong black sea bass bite.

AR-320 Clifton Moss Reef

AR-320 is another artificial reef near the port.

U-352 German submarine wreck: 90 ft

The U-352 is a German submarine wreck in 90 ft.

AR-305 Carteret County Sportfishing Association Reef: Aeolus in 98 ft

The Aeolus, a 439-ft former cable ship, lies in 98 ft, the deepest figure in this list.

Swansboro Hole and West Rock

Both are named grounds near the port.

Big Rock: about 39 nm southeast

Big Rock sits about 39 nm southeast of Beaufort Inlet, at the outer end of the named grounds.

How black sea bass are fished here and who runs trips

Headboat and charter trips fish the bottom with bait, which is the local method. Three operators list black sea bass from this port.

Bottom fishing with bait

Headboat and charter trips fish the bottom with bait, the method used from this port.

Capt. Stacy Fishing Center

Capt. Stacy Fishing Center runs the Capt. Stacy IV headboat plus private charter boats, and it lists black sea bass.

Liquid Fire Sportfishing

Liquid Fire Sportfishing is run by Capt. Josh Henderson. Trips leave from Bogue Inlet up to Beaufort Inlet, and black sea bass are listed.

Pelagic Sportfishing

Pelagic Sportfishing runs the 61-foot Pelagic, owner-operator Capt. Mike Webb, based at Atlantic Beach. It lists black sea bass and is the source of the seasonal ratings above.

FAQ about black sea bass fishing out of Morehead City